Chapter 49

Although Old Immortal Yang Mei was a Golden Immortal, he did not excel at withstanding attacks with his physical body. Immortal light flashed in his eyes, and thick vines suddenly sprouted in the air, weaving together in an instant into an impenetrable net.

With an earth-shaking boom, the giant fist crashed down heavily, only to be tightly ensnared by the resilient vine net.

The Long-armed Ape Monkey let out an enraged roar and leaped into the air, smashing both fists fiercely into the vine net. Another thunderous boom rang out, but the net did not budge. Instead, it sent the Long-armed Ape Monkey staggering to the ground.

Flower-Fruit Mountain shook violently, and rocks came tumbling down. The hunters had never witnessed such a sight before, and every one of them turned pale with fright.

Old Immortal Yang Mei remained composed. He gently exhaled a breath of immortal energy, and branches throughout the mountains began growing wildly, intertwining into barriers that steadily blocked the falling boulders.

He rode the clouds into the sky and looked down at the Long-armed Ape Monkey struggling to rise. Then he lightly tapped with a fingertip.

The vine net suddenly tightened, pinning the Long-armed Ape Monkey's massive body firmly to the ground.

"You have actually cultivated to the Earth Immortal realm. It seems you truly did swallow the Immortal Pill." Old Immortal Yang Mei smiled faintly and raised his hand again.

A sharp wooden spike shot toward the Long-armed Ape Monkey's brow, but with a crack, it only pierced the skin before snapping apart.

A look of surprise appeared on Old Immortal Yang Mei's face. "This dharma form's defense is truly formidable! If this monkey were thrown into a pill furnace, it would surely yield a Golden Pill."

Just as he was about to tighten the vine net and capture the Long-armed Ape Monkey, a miserable scream rose from below.

Looking down, he saw the Red-buttocked Macaque wielding a great blade, having already slaughtered every hunter. Two Underworld Officials swept over at high speed, threw out chains, and took away the dead souls.

Two more Underworld Officials appeared and took away the hunting dogs' souls as well.

The Red-buttocked Macaque caught sight of Old Immortal Yang Mei, raised his blade, and rode the clouds toward him to attack.

Old Immortal Yang Mei sneered. "Another one. Perfect—enough for two Golden Pills."

Green light flashed in his eyes, and countless divine lights of Jia Wood abruptly appeared. They instantly shattered the great blade, pierced through the Red-buttocked Macaque's limbs, and locked him in midair.

The Red-buttocked Macaque spat blood, and immortal light suddenly flared in his eyes as he unleashed Yin Spiral.

A beam of yin light coiled around Old Immortal Yang Mei, rapidly dissolving his flesh and blood.

Old Immortal Yang Mei was greatly alarmed. He formed hand seals and chanted an incantation, splitting off a wood-element incarnation to bear the yin light while his true body hastily retreated.

He did not dare delay. He fiercely drove the divine light of Jia Wood and the vine net. The two monkeys cried out in pain and fainted.

The Long-armed Ape Monkey's dharma form dispersed, returning him to his original shape. With a sweep of his sleeve, Old Immortal Yang Mei drew both monkeys to his side.

Zhuang Yan watched the battle from the sky. Seeing that the Red-buttocked Macaque and Long-armed Ape Monkey had only just entered the immortal path and were unfamiliar with spells, he knew they could not match Old Immortal Yang Mei's Golden Immortal cultivation.

He transformed into Sun Wukong's appearance and suddenly descended before Old Immortal Yang Mei. Old Immortal Yang Mei's vision blurred. When he saw who it was, he was frightened out of his wits. "Sun... Sun Wukong! You escaped?!"

Zhuang Yan waved a hand to release the two monkeys from their restraints, activated Myriad Laws from the Heart, and kicked Old Immortal Yang Mei off the clouds. Old Immortal Yang Mei fell in a miserable heap, hastily formed hand seals to use Wood Escape, and fled Flower-Fruit Mountain without looking back.

Zhuang Yan chuckled. Using his magic power, he sent the two monkeys back to the Water Curtain Cave before flying away toward Wubin Town.

--

Old Immortal Yang Mei fled back to Wubin Town in a panic, rushed into the pill room, and yanked awake his dozing disciple, Six Jin. "Leave, quickly!"

Six Jin jolted awake and grabbed her master's sleeve. "What happened?"

Old Immortal Yang Mei said in a trembling voice, "Sun Wukong has broken free from Five Finger Mountain and returned to Flower-Fruit Mountain!"

"How could that be?" Six Jin froze, then suddenly shook her head. "Master, wait! The seal set by Tathagata Buddha has not been broken. How could he escape so easily? Could someone be impersonating him?"

Hearing this, Old Immortal Yang Mei calmed somewhat. Following her suggestion, he set up an incense altar, burned a letter, and summoned the Patrolling Spirit Officer. Green smoke condensed into a divine figure, and the officer's voice was as clear as a spring. "What guidance does Immortal Yang Mei have for me?"

Old Immortal Yang Mei cupped his hands. "May I ask, Spirit Officer, where is Sun Wukong at present?"

The officer hesitated briefly before answering, "While making my rounds today, I saw that the Monkey King was still pinned beneath Five Finger Mountain."

Old Immortal Yang Mei let out a long breath and secretly praised his disciple's quick wits. The officer asked in return, "Does Immortal Yang Mei have anything else to inquire about?"

Old Immortal Yang Mei came back to his senses and swiftly took out a thousand Purple Coins, placing them on the altar. He cupped his hands and smiled. "Sorry to trouble you, Spirit Officer. That was my only question."

At the sight of the Purple Coins, the Patrolling Spirit Officer immediately smiled. "Immortal Yang Mei is too courteous. Then this minor deity shall continue his patrol."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Patrolling Spirit Officer's figure vanished without a trace, along with the thousand Purple Coins.

Old Immortal Yang Mei put away the altar and returned to his residence in Wubin Town with Six Jin, praising her repeatedly along the way. "Disciple, you were still the clever one. Your master nearly fell for it."

Six Jin looked at her master and smiled. "Master was feeling guilty and scared himself."

Old Immortal Yang Mei sighed. "Yes, your master truly has done wrong. Do not learn from me."

When they returned to the pill room, the furnace fire was burning brightly, and within the furnace lay a round, glowing Immortal Pill. Old Immortal Yang Mei was overjoyed. Turning around, he called out, "Disciple, the pill is complete! Quickly, retrieve it!"

Six Jin had been abandoned since childhood. Old Immortal Yang Mei had rescued her and taken her in as his disciple. In her heart, her master was like a father, while the old immortal regarded her as his own daughter. Their bond as master and disciple ran deep. She had also given her all in hunting monkey demons to refine pills. Now that the pill was complete, she was naturally delighted.

She swiftly took out the Red Gourd and stepped forward with her master to retrieve the pill. Old Immortal Yang Mei formed hand seals and chanted an incantation, and the furnace lid flew open at once. Unexpectedly, the Immortal Pill suddenly leaped up and struck the mouth of the furnace, causing the entire pill furnace to tilt toward the old immortal.

The old immortal calmly fired a beam of immortal light, intending to steady the pill furnace. Yet with a crack, the immortal light was crushed. Only then did he realize something was wrong. Just as he tried to dodge, his legs went weak, and he could only watch as the pill furnace came crashing down.

White smoke rose and filled the pill room. Old Immortal Yang Mei did not even let out a groan before his body was reduced to ashes by the furnace fire.

"Master!" Six Jin cried out as she pushed aside the pill furnace. All she saw on the ground was a pile of ashes. She breathed a sigh of relief, then turned and discovered her master standing unharmed to her front left.

She hurried over, accidentally scattering the pile of furnace ashes beneath her feet. Old Immortal Yang Mei rubbed his forehead and sighed. Six Jin reached out to pull him, but grasped only empty air.

After staring blankly for a moment, Six Jin finally understood. "Master, you..."

"Obviously, your master is already dead." Old Immortal Yang Mei gave a bitter smile. "So this truly was my tribulation. A dignified Golden Immortal, yet I was killed by a pill furnace."

Six Jin could easily push this pill furnace aside, and its fire could not harm her. Yet her master, with Golden Immortal cultivation, had been unable to evade it and ended up utterly reduced to ashes.

When her gaze fell upon the pill furnace again, the Immortal Pill had long since vanished. It was clearly nothing more than an illusion.

Six Jin abruptly turned around, stared at the scattered ashes on the ground, and asked in a trembling voice, "Master, could this be..."

Old Immortal Yang Mei nodded slightly. "It is your master's ashes."

Tears immediately streamed down Six Jin's face as she hastily used a spell to gather the ashes together. When she finished and turned back, she saw two underworld envoys standing beside Old Immortal Yang Mei—Black and White Impermanence. With Old Immortal Yang Mei's cultivation, how could ordinary Underworld Officials possibly seize his soul?

Black and White Impermanence locked up the old immortal's divine soul and began leading him away. Six Jin hurried after them with the urn of ashes in her arms, spreading her arms to block the two underworld marshals.

Old Immortal Yang Mei remained calm instead, gently persuading her, "Six Jin, do not offend the underworld marshals. Your master's allotted lifespan has ended. Dying in response to this tribulation is the natural order. Once your master reincarnates and cultivates anew, we will naturally meet again one day upon the immortal path."

"Now that Master is leaving, what am I supposed to do?" Six Jin sobbed as she wiped away her tears.

The old immortal comforted her with a smile. "You have already cultivated to the Profound Immortal realm. As long as you cultivate quietly in the cave mansion, you will encounter no calamity. Return to the cultivation grounds in Liu Continent. Your master's lifelong treasures are all there."

"But how can I cross the vast sea?"

This left Old Immortal Yang Mei troubled as well. Liu Continent was one of the Ten Continents, separated from the Four Great Continents by an immeasurable sea. With Six Jin's cultivation, crossing it truly would be difficult.

Suddenly, he saw a figure moving in the distance. Old Immortal Yang Mei narrowed his eyes and identified him after a moment, then suddenly called out, "Could that be the Spirit Platform Divine Lord?"

Hearing the call, Zhuang Yan looked around. The old immortal hurriedly waved to signal him over. Once Zhuang Yan approached, Black and White Impermanence immediately cupped their hands in salute. "Greetings, Spirit Platform Divine Lord."

As Zhuang Yan returned the salute, Old Immortal Yang Mei also bowed. "This poor Daoist is Yang Mei." Six Jin followed her master in bowing.

"Immortal Yang Mei?" Zhuang Yan revealed a look of surprise and solemnly returned the greeting. "I have heard much of you."

"Why is the Divine Lord here?"

"I merely happened to be passing by." Zhuang Yan answered with a smile. In truth, he had transformed into the Immortal Pill that knocked over the pill furnace, having come specifically to help the old immortal undergo his tribulation.

His gaze swept over Black and White Impermanence. Zhuang Yan asked, "Do you know each other?"

"We are merely carrying out orders to seize a soul," Black Impermanence answered. White Impermanence smiled instead. "Though I have hoped to make the Divine Lord's acquaintance."

Old Immortal Yang Mei sighed. "This poor Daoist's tribulation has arrived, but I cannot bear to see my young disciple wander the mortal world. Might I trouble the Divine Lord to send her to the Fangyu Institute of the True Palace of Great Mystery and ask them to return her to the cultivation grounds in Liu Continent?"

"A simple matter." Zhuang Yan readily agreed. "This deity will make the trip, since it is on the way."

The old immortal thanked him repeatedly and gave Six Jin careful instructions. The young girl merely nodded through her tears, committing every word her master said to heart.

Black and White Impermanence escorted Old Immortal Yang Mei away. If he had still been alive, the two Underworld Officials would certainly have treated him with great respect. Now that he had entered the underworld, there was naturally no need for such courtesy.

Watching her master disappear with the Underworld Officials, Six Jin burst into loud sobs. Zhuang Yan stood where he was and smiled. "Cry your heart out. When you are done, call for me, and I will send you to the True Palace of Great Mystery." Hearing this, Six Jin choked back her sobs, wiped her tears, and bowed. "Please, Spirit Platform Divine Lord, set out at once."

Zhuang Yan looked around and saw no one passing by. He then rode the clouds with Six Jin straight into the heavens. After arriving at the True Palace of Great Mystery, he led her to the Fangyu Institute, which managed the affairs of the Ten Continents and Three Islands. In the name of her lineage, Six Jin earnestly requested passage back to the cultivation grounds in Liu Continent. The immortal officials of the institute immediately agreed and arranged for a heavenly vessel to depart in one hour.

"With the matter settled, I shall take my leave." Just as Zhuang Yan was about to depart, Six Jin deeply bowed again. "Thank you, Divine Lord, for escorting me." Zhuang Yan waved a hand and smiled. "Six Jin? That is quite an unusual name." The young girl's eyes reddened slightly. "When Master found me in the mortal world, I weighed only six jin." Zhuang Yan nodded. "Strange, yet fitting. May your journey home go smoothly."

After leaving the Fangyu Institute, Zhuang Yan returned to Flower-Fruit Mountain. The Long-armed Ape Monkey and Red-buttocked Macaque had already awakened, and shame appeared on their faces when they saw the Divine Lord return. Zhuang Yan consoled them. "You have only just entered the immortal path. How could you contend with an old immortal who has cultivated for ten thousand years?" Over the following half year, he remained in the mountain, driving away cultivators seeking pills, either making them undergo tribulations or explaining the truth to them. Once the two monkeys' cultivation had advanced and no more visitors came to the mountain, Zhuang Yan quietly departed one dawn. The monkeys, grateful for his kindness, erected a divine shrine and worshipped him day and night.

[On the third day after Zhuang Yan returned to his residence, Lu Hanzhi hurriedly requested an audience. Chi Ling led her into the hall. Before anyone could ask anything, Lu Hanzhi had already fallen to the ground and urgently reported, "Divine Lord, Miss Lian'er is about to give birth!"

Zhuang Yan immediately rose to his feet and said to Fire Spirit True Immortal, Vanguard Hu, and Chi Ling, "Come with me."

He mounted a cloud, took the four of them, and flew straight into Liu Zhen Peak, landing outside Lu Hanzhi's cave mansion. Looking up, they saw dark clouds densely gathering over the peak, with demonic light faintly visible within.

Zhuang Yan waved a hand and set up a Myriad Laws from the Heart barrier. The dark clouds and demonic light immediately dispersed. Waves of miserable screams came from within the cave mansion, making Chi Ling tremble all over. "I swore long ago that I would never marry or bear children."

"Why?" Vanguard Hu asked.